from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its
shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.]
1. (Zool.)
(a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea
belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera,
having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are
used as food. The larger kinds are called also
{prawns}. See Illust. of {Decapoda}.
(b) In a more general sense, any species of the macruran
tribe {Caridea}, or any species of the order
Schizopoda, having a similar form.
(c) In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some
amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the
fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under {Fairy}, and
{Brine}.
[1913 Webster]
2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in
contempt.
[1913 Webster]
This weak and writhled shrimp. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
{Opossum shrimp}. (Zool.) See under {Opossum}.
{Spector shrimp}, or {Skeleton shrimp} (Zool.), any slender
amphipod crustacean of the genus {Caprella} and allied
genera. See Illust. under {Laemodopoda}.
{Shrimp catcher} (Zool.), the little tern ({Sterna minuta}).
{Shrimp net}, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net
dragged over the fishing ground.
[1913 Webster]